St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau could have the distinct honour of playing for his NRL club 36 hours after landing in the country.

Ah Mau was part of the New Zealand squad delayed in the United States following their Test match in Denver, but landed in Sydney early on Wednesday and headed straight to training in Wollongong.

He is one of seven Dragons to have featured in last week’s representative round, with NSW State of Origin forward Tyson Frizell the only omission from Thursday’s clash with Parramatta.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor said Frizell was being rested for niggling injuries, but confirmed England pair James Graham and Gareth Widdop, and Blues forward Jack de Belin were certain starters.

However he was unwilling to make a final call on Ah Mau.

“The commitment to one another and the team, at this stage I can’t talk any of them out of playing. I’ll just see how they get through training,” McGregor said on Wednesday.

“But they’re very confident about the position they’re in, where they want to play and what they want to do for their teammates.”

While the delayed return of the Kiwis has caused angst among some clubs and players, McGregor was reluctant to heap more criticism on the international fixture.

Like Melbourne chief boss Dave Donaghy, he suggested the timing and venue needed to be reviewed.

“It’s the most interrupted week of my coaching career, which is three-and-a-half years deep,” he said.

“However if you’re going to cross a dateline and have an international flight, you’ve got to expect some sort of repercussions from it.

“I’ve just got to move on to be honest. I’m not concerned about how it’s been delayed 48 hours. It happens. What are you going to change? Nothing.

“For us it’s about now putting the best care around Leeson, that’s really important for us.”

The Dragons will be expected to cement their spot at the top of the table with a comfortable showing against the last-placed Eels, who have lost second-rower Manu Ma’u to a fractured cheekbone.